Hours for PT helper?

For those of you who have had PT helpers, how long did it take them to thoroughly clean your house (in 1 day)?


I just had a trial cleaning with someone who has 12 yrs experience here in hkg.


She was supposed to clean for 4 hrs, but it turned into 5 hrs.

She would have kept cleaning, but I noted how late it was, & went on and paid her & sent her on her way.


I have a 2 story house.

She managed to clean around 80%, but she did'nt get around to cleaning everything we'd discussed. She worked at a pretty average pace.


I'm pleased with the chores she completed...but don't understand why 5 hrs was'nt enough time to clean the entire house.


She did apologize for not having enough time to get everything done.


I'm new at this, and probably a bit naive. I've never had a cleaner (ever), not even the 2 yrs here in hkg.


I just don't want to be taken advantage of, which is why I'm curious how long it really should take someone to thoroughly clean my house, and maybe iron a shirt or two?


thks!

Hi Della,

I have a PT time helper who comes for 3 hours , 3 times a week. She does the following in that time.....we have a 2100 sq foot house, 3.5 bathrooms, 2 living areas, 4 bedrooms and a garden and 5 people living here.


Vacuums and dusts the house,

washes the bottom floor

cleans all the bathrooms including mopping the floors

fold the clothes, and irons what needs to be ironed,

sweeps up the garden.

Clean the kitchen - unpacking the dishwasher where required.

Cleans one floor of windows every week or so.


Once every two weeks she pulls out the modular lounge and gets the stuff underneath it. Beats the carpets, hoses down outside and the rooftop.


She is wonderful and has a number of jobs and family - so she really gets moving on each one - and she is in high demand - and she is legal!


When I do the housework - it would take me 3 hours to clean the house if I worked at it at the pace I would expect someone I was paying to do it.


Maybe that is what you need to do - do the jobs you expect them to do - time yourself and see if it is realistic. When you have done that, tell your part time helper the jobs you expect her to do in the time - that is what you will pay (3 hours or whatever) and if she can't do it in the time - she won't be coming back.



They will stretch the time out because they are being paid by the hour - but if you tell them they will only be paid for 3 hours whether they have finished the job in that time or not - and you expect it to be finished they may be working for no pay in the 4th hour if they are slow - I think that will speed them up.


Good luck.

That's it. Give the list of chores to be completed and the number of hours you are paying. If she cannot complete the chores in that time you have the option of getting rid of her for someone else who can. And if nobody can then maybe your expectations are a bit high.

They will take advantage of you as well if you let them. I once hired a part time - it took her 2 hours to clean and wash the bottom floor (with me helping!) - needless to say she didn't come back.

This isn't just a helper thing of course. If my boss asks me to do something in 2 hours then I will. If she gives me a day it'll probably take that long. Human nature.

dimac4 you have mail

I'm just stunned that dimac can clean the entire 2100 sf house in just three hours. But then why pay the helper for 9 hours?

The helper came 3 different times a week, (to keep the place clean) and I don't like doing housework! (I used to clean houses to get through university)


BTW the captioned helper has some time free now if you live in Sai Kung and need some part time help. PM me for info.

Della you have mail.

Hi dimac4. I am interested in this wonderfull helper. I have sent you a PM.

Yes they can be more hassle than help unless you have someone reliable, honest, efficient and nice. I found FT helpers more hassle than help - but then the same exceptions would apply!